Let us be honest: some passenger car segments are a dying breed, not just an endangered species. Whether we like it or not, that's all due to the worldwide love for crossovers, SUVs, and trucks. But what if the 'victims' strike back – even if only virtually?
In America, for example, we could easily earmark the traditional sedans and sports cars on the endangered species list if this was a national Geographic-type presentation. As for minivans, the MPVs that once reigned supreme across schoolyards and practice fields (turning into the banter of everyone) are almost extinct.
There is no need to take our word for granted because you would be hard-pressed to find a top-five list of nameplates currently on sale across the US market. In fact, there are just four of them left dwelling around. If you want a handsomely quirky style, then the practical, comfortable, and value-packed Kia Carnival is your pick. If the highly versatile, practical, and competent minivan is your choice, the Honda Odyssey is the name of the game. America has just one option – the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica, including in Hybrid format.
Last but not least, the list concludes with the 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid-only model starting from a little over $37k, packing 245 combined hp, enough space for eight people on board, and a decidedly interesting styling. The current fourth generation of the model that was originally introduced in 1997 as a successor of the Previa on a heavily revised Camry platform has already celebrated a significant milestone – the 25th anniversary of the series for the 2023MY.
Meanwhile, the 2024 model year has a lot of grades (LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, Platinum) but nowhere near enough novelties aside from optional AWD and a new XSE Premium Package. That's hardly enough to warrant its survival, right? Well, Toyota could easily give it a new lease of life starting with the 2025 model year because it still shares the TNGA-K platform with the Camry.
The latter is now all-new for the 2025 model year and also comes exclusively with hybrid powertrains and FWD or AWD, so continuing the relationship wouldn't be too costly. Well, if that doesn't happen in the real world, then the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has no problems taking matters into their own hands – or rather, at the tip of their CGI brushes.
For example, Dimas Ramadhan, the virtual automotive artist behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, has taken up the task of CGI-revealing a thoroughly refreshed Sienna that obviously is inspired by the latest Toyota Passenger cars, including the Prius 'Hybrid Reborn' and the all-new 2025 Camry. But that is not all because this pixel master also wants the big minivan to display an aggressive Gazoo Racing attitude.
More precisely, the CGI expert envisions the hypothetical Toyota GR Sienna that could bring something unseen in today's America to market – a sporty minivan. If this were real, then the Japanese automaker would give it a complete makeover with an encompassing aerodynamic body kit, a lowered suspension setup, larger all-black alloy wheels, as well as a tripe exhaust system hinting at a potential swap of the hybrid powertrain with the setup used inside the GR Corolla – a little yet feisty 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder that's good for 300 horsepower. So, what do you think – is it cool or not?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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